Human Growth Hormone (HGH) vs. Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)

Published on: Aug 31, 2023 / Last Updated on: Aug 31, 2023 / REGENERATIVE MEDICINE
Human Growth Hormone (HGH) vs. Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)

Hormones play a crucial role in preserving our overall health and well-being, serving as chemical messengers produced by the endocrine system. They diligently regulate a wide array of bodily functions, providing instructions to organs, skin, muscles, and tissues, guiding them on what actions to take and when to perform them. Hormones have a profound influence on an extensive range of bodily processes ranging from facilitating growth and development to governing sleep cycles, metabolism, and sexual function.

Although when certain hormones dip too low or become imbalanced, they can lead to a range of health issues known as hormonal imbalance. Even the slightest hormonal imbalance can lead to disruptive symptoms throughout your day. This condition is not confined to specific age groups or genders, affecting all types of people.

Luckily modern medicine has several treatments for hormone imbalance, most popularly hormone replacement therapy (HRT). But it’s crucial to understand that these advanced therapies are only for those suffering from an irregular deficiency of hormones. It is not for those who experience typical hormonal imbalance symptoms such as those seen during healthy aging or puberty.

There are many types of treatments for hormone imbalance, with some better suited than others for certain types of hormone imbalance. This is why it’s crucial to do your research and talk to your doctor before getting any advanced hormone imbalance treatment. It’s important to know the ins and outs of your condition as well as the treatment you’re getting. This article aims to inform readers about the difference between two popular types of hormone treatments and elucidate any misconceptions about them and their effectiveness.

Causes of Hormonal Imbalance

In order to clear up any ambiguity about what hormone imbalance entails, we’ll first go over some of the causes of irregular hormone imbalances. There are several potential causes of regular hormonal imbalance, sometimes being just natural processes that occur in everyone. Hormones naturally fluctuate in everybody all throughout one’s lifetime, even in daily life. But certain periods of change can drastically alter hormone levels, some being puberty, pregnancy, or menopause.

When it comes to non-cancerous tumors, adenomas, and growths that occur near hormone-producing organs, hormone replacement therapy can be recommended by one’s health care provider. These can significantly affect hormonal levels and often require medical treatment. When someone is suffering from insufficient production of hormones or even an over-production of a certain hormone, medical intervention is necessary.

Human Growth Hormone Injection

The first treatment we’ll talk about is human growth hormone (HGH). The growth hormone is a vital element of childhood growth and the maintenance of tissues and organs. It is produced by the pea-sized pituitary gland located at the base of the brain. However, as we age, the pituitary gland gradually reduces its production of growth hormone, leading to certain changes associated with aging, such as decreased muscle and bone mass.

Due to the natural slowdown of growth hormone production with age, there has been growing interest in the use of synthetic HGH as a potential means to counteract age-related changes and preserve youthfulness and vitality. Some believe that HGH treatments might help in regaining lost muscle and bone mass. However, it is important to know that HGH should not be treated as an anti-aging treatment for all individuals, as there is limited evidence to support the idea that HGH can effectively benefit otherwise healthy adults.

HGH treatment is primarily prescribed for adults who suffer from growth hormone deficiency, rather than the typical decline in growth hormone associated with aging. Such deficiencies are often caused by a benign tumor on the pituitary gland (pituitary adenoma) or previous treatment of an adenoma with surgery or radiotherapy. For individuals with growth hormone deficiency, HGH injections can yield several benefits, including:

  • Increased exercise capacity

  • Enhanced bone density

  • Improved muscle mass

  • Decreased body fat

HGH is only effective when administered through injections, meaning there has been no pill form of human growth hormone proven to be effective. Although some dietary supplements claim to boost HGH levels in pill form, research does not support their effectiveness. It is crucial to emphasize that HGH is considered a controlled substance by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Using HGH for unapproved conditions, such as muscle building or anti-aging treatments in older adults, is illegal.

But if you are suffering from growth hormone deficiency then HGH can be a great treatment. While many people shy away from injections, the procedure is very simple and relatively painless. Remember, adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet and regular physical activity can play a significant role in helping you maintain optimal well-being as you age. It’s important to take a multi-step approach when treating hormone deficiency in order to secure maximum benefits.

BHRT Pellet Therapy

BHRT pellet therapy is a form of hormone replacement therapy, specifically bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. Bioidentical hormones refer to processed hormones specifically designed to mirror the real hormones naturally produced by the endocrine glands in your body. BHRT and HRT in general differ from HGH since they can be used for more common types of hormone imbalance. Unlike HGH being specifically used to treat growth hormone deficiencies, BHRT can be used to treat more standard types of hormone imbalance, like those seen in menopause and perimenopause.

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy involves the usage of processed hormones derived from plants. Some of the most commonly used bioidentical hormones are estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.

Bioidentical hormones are available in different forms, with some being pre-made by pharmaceutical companies under FDA approval. Alternatively, there are custom-made bioidentical hormones prepared by pharmacists based on prescriptions from healthcare providers.

BHRT pellet therapy is one of the best forms of treatment. BHRT pellets are small rice-sized capsules that are inserted subcutaneously and gradually dissolve over time, releasing a calculated dosage of the deficient hormones. While it may sound like an uncomfortable process, it is actually much easier than other typical methods like BHRT patches, gels, and injections. If you’re curious about BHRT pellet therapy, then consider reading our other article explaining everything you need to know about the treatment.

Conclusion

Hormonal imbalance is an extremely prevalent condition that can lead to a wide range of symptoms and health issues. By researching the causes and available treatment options for hormonal imbalance, you can take proactive measures to address your symptoms and enhance your overall health and well-being.

If you find yourself experiencing symptoms of hormonal imbalance, it's essential to seek guidance from a healthcare professional to find the most suitable treatment plan for your specific needs. If HGH or BHRT is recommended for your condition, M Health and Beauty offers top-notch treatment for both options. Call today to schedule a consultation.